Tips from the Pros — Photographing Events

Making Action Portraits Whether done by a pro or someone sitting on the sidelines of a school soccer game, action portraits require a fast shutter speed and accurate focusing on the interplay of athletes – whether 2 or 4 legged... more

Define Your Trademark Style - Shooting from the inside out, not the outside in. The day I decided I wasn't going to be a photographer any longer was the day I "became" one! In the beginning of my career, I was trying hard to shoot a bunch of different images I "thought" would fit into different portfolios. This way I could show diversity and range and be more flexible to shoot anything should the opportunity arise. I was shooting from my head and not my heart. I was shooting from the outside in and not the inside out... more

Inspiration Find inspiration in obvious places. For instance, with so many couples requesting wedding images that have a photo journalistic quality, take a look at the masters of photojournalism. Photographers like Eugene Smith and Elliott Erwitt were master storytellers whose photographs are relevant to this day. Study their compositions and camera angles. If you submerge yourself in classic, well made images, you will start to see the story telling opportunities in every wedding... more

Don't be afraid to ask them to pose As the photographer, you are the one ultimately in control of the image. If someone looks a little awkward, suggest different poses (or go physically move them yourself) until they get it just right. You'll be doing them a favor by getting them to look their best while getting the most interesting shots... more

Don't shoot a guy in the sky - show a reference point It drives me a bit nuts when photographers (typically not from the snow world) just point their lens in the air and fire away of the guy in the sky. You must show a reference from the ground in your composition such as the lip (the edge) of the half pipe, or the take off of the jump. This way the size of the air the rider/skier is doing, is justified by the ground reference... more